Sandtrap maintenance device

ABSTRACT

In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a selfpropelled, attendant guided, sandtrap type maintenance device having trailing earth breaking tines followed by a final breaking and smoothing rake like member.

United States Patent [1 1 1 1] 3,771,608 1 Nov. 13, 1973 AnchericoSANDTRAP MAINTENANCE DEVICE [75] Inventor: EdwardAncherico,Fayetteville,

[73] Assignee: Eastern Turf Equipment, Inc.,

Fayetteville, NC.

[22] Filed: Sept. 18, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 73,498

[52] US. Cl. 172/358, 172/198 [51] Int. Cl A0111 3/02 [58] Field 01Search 172/42, 329, 358, 172/389, 390-391, 198; D35/2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3;56/74.7, 16.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 478,649 7/1892 Songer172/198 2,517,733 8/1950 Takats... 172/42 473,289 4/1892 Breed.....172/456 1,835,288 12/1931 Dyrr 172/198 3,613,802 10/1971 Carlson et al172/197 FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 958,163 1/1957 Germany a 172/42OTHER PUBLICATIONS Le Claire Manufacturing Co., Model. E Handy DandyGarden Cultivator, Aug. 16, 1954.

John Deere, HD2240 Integral Spring-Tooth Harrow, Apr.2, 1959, pp. 1,11,18

John Deere, Harrow, Lever Controlled HC216, I-1C324, 1-1C432, Sept.1955, pp. 1, 3, 5, 12

Sears, Roebuck and Co., 1963 Suburban-Farm Catalog, 1963, pp. 1, 2, 3,8,12

. Montgomery Ward, 1967 Farm Catalog, 1967, pp. 1,

Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant ExaminerR. T. RaderAtt0rney-John G. Mills, 111

[5 7] ABSTRACT In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention isa self-propelled, attendant guided, sandtrap type maintenance devicehaving trailing earth breaking tines followed by a final breaking andsmoothing rake like member.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENTEU NM 13 I973 SHEEI 1 0F 2 H oi EDWARDANCHERICO ATTORNEY PAIENTEUNHV13 ma 8.771; 608 sum 2 or 2 EDWARDANCHERICO ATTORNEY 1 SANDTRAP MAINTENANCE DEVICE This invention relatesto earth working devices and more particularly to sandtrap maintenancedevices.

One of the standard hazards placed on approaches to greens of golfcourses are sandtraps. These traps are generally rather extensive inarea and are preferably maintained in a smooth, contoured condition.This is usually accomplished by the laborious process of exten* siveraking by maintenance personnel. Players, however, who knock balls intothese traps leave footprints and stroke or blast holes in the surface.Although a rake is usually left near the sandtrap, players invariablyeither do not smooth over their footprints and blast holes or do aninadequate job thereof. Further adverse weather conditions such as rainand'baking sun harden and otherwise, produce an undesirable sandtrapsurface. Thus reconditioning of sandtraps is a constant golf coursemaintenance problem that requires considerable time and effort on thepart of maintenance personnel.

The present invention has been developed after much research and studyinto the above mentioned problems and is designed to provide anefficient, selfpropelled sandtrap maintenance device that contours andprepares the surface as well as hand raking without bogging down andotherwise adversely affecting the trap. The present invention is alsodesigned as a lightweight unit for easy transportation that is foldableinto a compact unit-for storage and yet is expandable for maximumsurface preparation per swath. Surface engaging elements of the presentinvention are jointed for accurate contouring of rolling trap surfaces.

It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide aself-propelled sandtrap maintenance device.

Another'object of the present invention is to provide a self-propelled,attendant guided surface smoothing implement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-propelledsurface preparation device including a height'adjustable workingelement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sandtrap typemaintenance device including a hinged contouring working member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable,extensible working element attached to a self-propelled earth breakingand smoothing device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a nonbogging,self-propelled, surface smoothing and contouring device.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a beltdriven, self-propelled, attendant guided, non-bogging sandtrapmaintenance device.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent and obvious from a study of the following description and theaccompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view. of the sandtrap maintenance device of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective'view of 'the surface breaking andcontouring element of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section taken through lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view-of the hinge means between thesupport members to the rake panels; and

FIG. 5 is an enlargedsectional view of the element limit flanges. I

With further reference to the drawings, the selfpropelled attendantguided sandtrap maintenance device of the present invention is indicatedgenerally at 10. This device is composed of a pair of generally equaltrapezoid shaped, parallely disposed basic frame members 11 and 12.Secured by means such as bolts 13 respectively to each of the base framemembers along their upper parallel edges aie motor and implementmounting members 14 and 15. Fixedly secured between these lasttwo,mentioned members by means such as welding is an implement mountingsleeve 16 witha set screw 17 threaded thercinto.

Bolted or otherwise secured to members 14 and I5 is a motor indicatedgenerally at 18. This is preferably a standard gasoline type motorwhich, through transmission 19 drives pulley 20.

A forwardly projecting handle 21 is secured to the base frame members 11and 12. On the outermost end of this handle are provided a pair of handgrips 22.

Pivotably secured to base member 11 is an idler plate 23. This plate isgenerally triangular in shape and pivots about point 24 which can beeithera bolt or other mounting means.

Secured to the point of idler plate 23 farthest from pivot 24 is apulley mounting shaft 25. Mounted to freely rotate on the end of shaft25 opposite plate 23 is idler pulley 26.

To the third corner of triangular shaped plate 23 is secured a controlrod 27. This rod is, of course, pivotably secured to such plate-Theopposite end. of rod 27 is secured to control plate 28 which ispivotably mounted at point 29 to the grip end of handle 21. A controllever 30 is fixedly secured to plate 28 so that the same can be movedinto and from the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3.

A motor control lever 31 of standard construction can be mounted on theopposite side of handle 21.-'from plate 28 so that the motor 18 can becontrollingly operated. v

The lower portion, as oriented in the drawings, of each of the basemembers 11 and 12 carries a bearing such as that indicated at 32. Thesebearings rotatively mount axle 33. Fixedly secured to this axle,intermediate its ends and in alignment with motor pulley 20 and idlerpulley 26, is drive pulley 34.

Mounted, one on each end of axle 33, are wheels 35 and 36 withpreferably over-sized tires 37 and 38 carried thereon. At least one ofthe wheels is fixedly secured to axle 33; and for added traction bothwheels may be so secured.

The earth working element of the present invention indicated generallyat 39 is composed of an elongated, box frame type mounting arm 40 thatis adjustably secured within implement sleeve 16 by set screw 17 at oneend and is fixedly secured at the other end to central support member41. As can clearly be seen in FIG. 3, support member 41 is attached toits mounting arm 40 at such an angle that said member is disposed,during operation of the maintenance device, in a plane generallyparallel to the surface being prepared.

Secured respectively to opposite ends of the central support member aregenerally U-shaped hinge elements '42 and 43. Wing support elements 44and 45 are disposed adjacent elements 42 and 43 respectively and havemating hinge elements 46 and 47 secured thereto.

Bolts or other suitable pins, such as those indicated at 48 and 49, passthrough the mated hinge elements to provide a hinged joint between eachof the wing support members and the central support member.

A plurality of surface and clod breaking tines 50 are staggeringlysecured to the surface side of the central and wing support members.These tines are secured by any convenient means such as welded, threadedto receive nuts, or tapped to use bolt securing means. The last twomentioned methods are deemed preferably in that the tines would then beremovably secured to their respective support members so that shouldsuch tines become bent, broken or otherwise damaged, they can be readilyremoved for repair or replacement.

Rake panels 51, 52 and 53 are hingedly connected, respectively, tosupport members 44, 41 and 45. The edge indicated at 54 on each of thepanels opposite their hinged connections with their respective supportmembers is serrated. Each of the rake panels is preferably made of sheetmetal type material so that clumps or clods of surface material will notpass therethrough but will be broken up thereunder and smoothed in araking action by said serration.

Each of the hinged connections between the rakepanels and the supportmembers is composed of an eye portion 55 bolted or otherwise secured tothe support and a ring portion 56 welded or otherwise secured to thepanel. Because of the size and location of the eye and ring portions,the panels are free to pivot or flap as surface contact may require. v i

To prevent the panels from falling perpendicular to the plane of thesupport members, and also to relieve stress on the eye and ring portionof the hinge connection, limit flanges 57 are provided. These flangesare preferably bolted or otherwise secured to the support members andproject outwardly therefrom to engage the panel members when they aredisposed at the desired downward angle.

In actual use of the sandtrap maintenance device of the presentinvention, such device is moved onto the edge of a sandtrap and if notalready running, the motor 18 is started in the usual manner. Motorcontrol 31., through cable 31', is used to remotely control the speed ofthe motor.

To begin the breaking up and smoothing operation, lever 30 is moved fromthe position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 to the position shown insolid lines. This movement, through connecting rod 27, pivots idlerplate 23 about pivot point 24 to tightly engage idler pulley 26 withdrive belt 58. Since motor 18 is running, the motor or drive pulley 20is rotating. When idler pulley 26 is brought into tension engagementwith belt 58, such belt will drive axle pulley 34. Since this pulley isfixed to axle 33 at least one of the wheels 35 or 36 will begin torotate thus driving the device forward.

Due to the fact that control lever 30 is located adjacent the handles asis motor control 31, the stop and go motion of the device can beaccurately regulated.

Since the device of the present invention has one of its primary usesthe contouring and smoothing of sandtraps, such 'device will move in thedirection of the arrow in FIG. 3. Thus it can be seen that the attendant(not shown) walks in front of the device using handles 22 to guide thesame. The attendants footprints, of course, will be completely smoothedout by the device thus leaving no undesirable pits or scars in thesurface behind the device.

Whenever a complete swath is made by the maintenance device or wheneverfurther smoothing action is not desired, all the attendant has to do ispush downwardly on handles 22 thus pivoting the entire device about axle33 and disengaging the tines 58 and their associated rake panels fromengagement with the surface being prepared or treated. Whenever thedevice has been repositioned for a second swath or for furtheroperation, the operator can release pressure on handles 22 and can evenpick up on the same to drive the tines 50 into the surface.

If, as the maintenance device moves across the surface being prepared,contours are encountered, wing members 44 and 45 are free to moveupwardly thus preventing a possible non-contact area in what could beconsidered the valley portion of the contour. In other words, if arising trap contour is encountered, the wing members will automaticallycontour themselves thereto thus assuring continuous tine contact all theway across the earth working element 39. The hinging of the rake panels51, 52 and 53, of course, allows for variations in the tine depthwithout causing undesirable build-up of surface material behind suchpanels.

Whenever the smoothing maintenance of the sandtrap being prepared hasbeen completed, the device 10 can be driven therefrom on its own poweror can be otherwise removed to a storage area. To facilitatecompacttransport and storage, wing members 44 and 45- 'can be pivotedabout p1vot points 48 and 49 to the position shown in FIG. 2, Thus itcan be seen that the width of space required for the device can bereduced by almost fifty per cent through the folding operation.

Should adjustment of the location of the earth engaging element 39relative to the remainder of the device 10 be desired, all that isrequired is that set screw 17 be loosened and arm 40 adjustedlongitudinally within sleeve 16. The set screw is then retightened tosecure the relationship of the parts.

From the above, it is obvious that the present invention has theadvantage of providing a much improved sandtrap maintenance device thatis self-propelled and self-adjusting as to contours. The device of thepresent invention also has the advantage of being inexpensive tomanufacture and yet sturdy in structure. The'present inventionadditionally has theadvantage of providing a self-propelled, attendantcontrolled device for breaking up surface material and to smooth thesame in connected, adjacent operations.

The terms front, rear and so forth have been used herein merely forconvenience to describe the maintenance device of the present inventionand its parts as oriented in the drawings. It is to be understood,however, that these terms are in no way limiting to the invention sincethe device may obviously be disposed in many different positions when inuse.

The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specificways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit andessential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalencyrange of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable hand operated two wheel golf course sandtrap type surfacebreaking and smoothing device of the attendant guided type where theattendant walks and guides the device through sandtraps; said devicecomprising: a frame including a pair of generally like shaped verticalbasic frame members disposed in laterally spaced apart relationship; apair of surface engaging wheels rotatively mounted on,and supportingsaid basic frame members; a generally flat motor and implement mountingstructure secured to the top portion of said basic frame members; motormeans mounted on said motor and implement mounting structure; meansoperatively connecting said motor means with said wheels to drive thesame; an attendant guide and control means including a handle fixed tosaid frame and extending generally upwardly therefrom where the upperend thereof has a hand gripping portion; an implement mounting sleevefixed to said frame on the side opposite said handle and projectinggenerally rearwardly and downwardly therefrom; an implement mounting armslideably confined within said implement r therefrom; releasablesecuring means mounting sleeve and projecting generally downwardlyassociated with said implement mounting sleeve for adjustably securingsaid implement mounting arm therein; and a surface working elementsecured to the lower end of said implement mounting arm rearwardly ofsaid wheels and including a series of transversely aligned hingedlymounted tine plates each having a plurality of surface penetrating tinesand a smoothing means in the form of an impervious plate havingserrations along one edge thereof whereby a smooth, loose surface can bemechanizingly produced, and wherein the hinged connection betweenrespective tine plates enable the working element to be foldable aboutat least a single axis extending parallel to the path of travel of thedevice and allow the working element to more accurately follow thecontour of the sandtrap in which employed.

1. A portable hand operated two wheel golf course sandtrap type surfacebreaking and smoothing device of the attendant guided type where theattendant walks and guides the device through sandtraps; said devicecomprising: a frame including a pair of generally like shaped verticalbasic frame members disposed in laterally spaced apart relationship; apair of surface engaging wheels rotatively mounted on and supportingsaid basic frame members; a generally flat motor and implement mountingstructure secured to the top portion of said basic frame members; motormeans mounted on said motor and implement mounting structure; meansoperatively connecting said motor means with said wheels to drive thesame; an attendant guide and control means including a handle fixed tosaid frame and extending generally upwardly therefrom where the upperend thereof has a hand gripping portion; an implement mounting sleevefixed to said frame on the side opposite said handle and projectinggenerally rearwardly and downwardly therefrom; an implement mounting armslideably confined within said implement mounting sleeve and projectinggenerally downwardly therefrom; releasable securing means associatedwith said implement mounting sleeve for adjustably securing saidimplement mounting arm therein; and a surface working element secured tothe lower end of said iMplement mounting arm rearwardly of said wheelsand including a series of transversely aligned hingedly mounted tineplates each having a plurality of surface penetrating tines and asmoothing means in the form of an impervious plate having serrationsalong one edge thereof whereby a smooth, loose surface can bemechanizingly produced, and wherein the hinged connection betweenrespective tine plates enable the working element to be foldable aboutat least a single axis extending parallel to the path of travel of thedevice and allow the working element to more accurately follow thecontour of the sandtrap in which employed.